Mental Health Nursing: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 6 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Mental health nursing

Method

  1. Decide whether there is an immediate risk: suicide, violence, a drug emergency or a physical illness.
  2. Act on safety first: observe, remove means, de-escalate, stop a harmful drug, get help.
  3. Choose the therapeutic response: acknowledge feelings, present reality, avoid false reassurance and “why” questions.
  4. Respect rights: the least restrictive option, consent and confidentiality with its limits.

2Practice problems

1.Mental health nursingMedium

In DSM-5-TR, prolonged grief disorder in adults requires that at least how long has passed since the death?

  1. A6 weeks
  2. B12 months
  3. C3 years
  4. D2 weeks
2.Mental health nursingHard

A patient says, "My boss didn't say hello this morning, so she must think I'm useless." Which cognitive distortion is shown, and what is a helpful nursing response?

  1. AAll-or-nothing thinking; agree that the boss is being unfair
  2. BMind reading; ask what other reasons there might be for the boss's behaviour
  3. CPersonalisation; advise the patient to ask for a new manager
  4. DCatastrophising; tell the patient that she will definitely not be fired
3.Clinical psychologyMedium

Which pattern defines bipolar II disorder?

  1. AAt least one full manic episode with psychotic features
  2. BAt least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode
  3. CNumerous mild mood swings over at least two years without full mood episodes
  4. DMajor depressive episodes only, with no elevated mood
4.Clinical psychologyHard

Why is the medical model of mental illness criticised by proponents of the psychological approaches?

  1. AIt is based only on dream analysis
  2. BIt may overlook psychological and social causes and reduce people's sense of agency
  3. CIt rejects the use of medication entirely
  4. DIt denies that the brain and biological factors have any role in behaviour or emotion
5.PharmacologyMedium

In which patient is bupropion contraindicated?

  1. AA patient with a seizure disorder or an eating disorder
  2. BA patient with high blood cholesterol and a family history of it
  3. CA patient who wants to stop smoking
  4. DA patient with seasonal allergies
6.PharmacologyHard

A patient with latent tuberculosis feels well and is not infectious. Why is treatment such as isoniazid still offered?

  1. ATo stop the patient spreading TB at the moment
  2. BTo produce a negative skin test quickly
  3. CTo cure an active lung infection
  4. DTo prevent progression to active TB later

3Solutions

1.Mental health nursing

Answer: B · 12 months

Why this is the answer

In adults, prolonged grief disorder requires at least 12 months since the loss (6 months for children and adolescents), with intense yearning or preoccupation that impairs functioning. ICD-11 uses a shorter minimum of 6 months.

Answer

B · 12 months
2.Mental health nursing

Answer: B · Mind reading; ask what other reasons there might be for the boss's behaviour

Why this is the answer

Mind reading is assuming others' thoughts without evidence. Exploring alternative explanations, such as the boss being busy, helps the patient test the thought and reduce distress.

Answer

B · Mind reading; ask what other reasons there might be for the boss's behaviour
3.Clinical psychology

Answer: B · At least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode

Why this is the answer

Bipolar II requires hypomanic and major depressive episodes but no manic episode. A single manic episode leads to a bipolar I diagnosis.

Answer

B · At least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode
4.Clinical psychology

Answer: B · It may overlook psychological and social causes and reduce people's sense of agency

Why this is the answer

The medical model treats disorders as illnesses with biological causes, which reduces blame but can neglect life events, meaning and context, and may encourage passive reliance on drugs.

Answer

B · It may overlook psychological and social causes and reduce people's sense of agency
5.Pharmacology

Answer: A · A patient with a seizure disorder or an eating disorder

Why this is the answer

Bupropion increases the risk of seizures, especially with bulimia or anorexia, where electrolyte disturbances are common. It is used for depression and as a smoking cessation aid.

Answer

A · A patient with a seizure disorder or an eating disorder
6.Pharmacology

Answer: D · To prevent progression to active TB later

Why this is the answer

People with latent TB carry dormant bacteria that can reactivate, especially if immunity weakens. Treatment reduces the risk of active disease, which would be infectious.

Answer

D · To prevent progression to active TB later

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